The Dunstan Times. CLYDE. FRIDAY, NOV. 18th, 1881.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1022, 18 November 1881, Page 3

The Dunstan Times.

CLYDE. FRIDAY, NOV. 18th, 1881.

Ecne ith the rule of iren entirely just Tne pen is n iffntier than the sword,

Mr Vincent Pyre and Mr Win. Eraser linth in this issue notify the dates on which they will adiiress the electors in the several ci litres of population iii this part of the ■newly constituted I install district, ami on the policies enunciated by them depend their positions when the result of the pi I is made known. Mr Fraser delivered his first, address at Alexandra last-evening, and we have to explain that in constqnmoe of it heing our publishing evening we were nn.flhle to be present, and to give in'this morning's issue our report; hut as the second address is to be deliveie 1 at. Clyde this evening, we hope in onr next issue to makeup fir any shortcomings in this Hi Raiding the chances of either candidate, cn account of the shape and extent of the district, here we are quite unable to even guess as to probabilities ; public opinion, however, is on the side of the old candidate, hut at the same time an influential body is leaving no stone unturned ±q gain supporters for the now one.

“ THE'CORRUPT PRACTICES ' PRE- . VdSUTION ACT, 1881.” .

As this measure in its most minutcudetails is of so carefully stringent a nature that it is very difficult to see how a man can either contest an election, or leconlhis vote without making himself liable lor no end of heavy penalties, we deem it hut well at the present time to give its most salient points in the direction of what you may do and what you may not do. To begin with, Jt is an Act of 43 plagseSj and is, in live parts, viz , corrupt praC'ices, illegal practices, diequa ilication of electors, personation, and miscellaneous provisions, Corrupt practice includes bribery, treating, iiiniuo influence, or personation. Bribiry, interpreted, means—-The giving or leu.line, or promise to give or lend, any money or other valuable consideration to an elector, in order to induce him to vote or retrain from voting, l.o'h giver and receiver and the agent or go-between (if any) being liai le to puni.-hnieut. Treating— means every candidate who, on the polling-day, provides meats, drink, entertainment or pi ov isiou for any person in order to he elected or to influence his vote shad he deemed cuilty of the offence. Undue influence— limans intimidation or other interference with the free, exercise of an elector. Tue p liatly for any of the above offences is a line in any sum not ex£4JU, an I the inability for five yeais of being or any eVct'oral'roll, or the vo.iug at .any election, or the induing of any public or judicial office.

Illegal practices—m sans the employment hy payment of more than one scrutineer, one cleric, anil one messenger at each polling bomh ; the parson so eugatredis also guilty. The kiting of vehicles, the flying of ban tiers, coexadcs, ribbons, or other mat ks of ilistincli .11, the exhibiting of bi Is or placards the Idling or Using any pan of a house licensed to retail-intoxicating liquors as a ■committee room, the publicans as well as the candidate being iabje to like penalties as above, excepting that the lino is not to exceed i'lno on summary conviction ; and the candidate is pi collided from sitting in the House of Kenrcsentadves for the distiict during the Parliament. Disqualification of electors— moans all pars ms gui.ty of corrupt or illegal practices ; bis vote shall he void, and if during tbe tune his vote is void he shall vote or attempt to vote he shall be liable on summary conviction to a tine not exceeding £1(10.

Personation— means the applying for a voting paper in the name of some other person, the sending in a claim to have another person placed on the roll, or the writing of any other .name on a claim to be placed on the roll. The offence f>r this is a misdemeanour, and on conviction impiisonment not exceeding two years. By the above it will be seen that a-can--didate in bis action is oribbe 1 and cabined pretty closely, and is surrounded by all manner of pit falls, indeed, as is also the general holy -ef electors; therefore, in advising that the greatest possible circumspection should be observed ou all sides, we do but right.